Bag-filling apparatus



Feb. 10, 1931. I D. B'FLCHER 1,791,654

BAG FILLING APPARATUS Fileaot. 1a. 1929 9 s eets-sheet 2 fm/enz or 5 LQELCHEI? ATTOKNEY:

Feb. 10, 1931. 0. BELCHER BAG FILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 18, 1929 9 She'ets-Sheet 3 Invenzfar DAN/EL BEL CHEE ATTOENEYS Feb. 10, 1931. b. BELCHER BAG FILLING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 18, 1929 w 0 a u Q u M n m m fi u {W I a 5 J rl. d 9 W i w i FF: l O M o m 4 OM i 3 M H ArToR/ve'ks;

Feb. 10, 1931. a. aELcHER BAG FILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 18, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 In V6 70150? DAN/EL 5ELCHEB g (3W 143;! MM

Feb. 10, 1931. BELcHER 139L654 BAG FILLING APPARATUS Fild 0012. 18, 1929 9 Sheefis-Sheet 6 43 Invewfir fiA/v/EL 55L CHE/6 mg, m! MM Feb. 10, 1931. 0. BELCHER BAG FILLING APPARATUS ?i1ed Oct. 18, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 fm/enior DAN/El. 55/. {THEE WW W flv-v-o/e/vsrs' Feb. 10, 1931. n. BELCHER BAG FILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 18. 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 A W E49. /4 e3 5 a; 4, 9 5 fi f 6/ V M p k A U 90 Q9 1 i 6/ 2a /5 l5 DAN/EL BEL 015/? -r-oPIvs-ro' fm/znior Feb. 10, 1931. n. BELCHER 1.791.654

BAG FILLING AIPARATUSV 1 Filed Oct. 18. 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 [7: venzar DAN/EL 5ELc/1EE AT-raENE-Ys' Patented Feb.

uNrrsn stares PATENT- er DANIEL BELGHE 3, OF MINNEAPOLIS,

MINNESOTA, ASSEGNOR TO BEIVZIS. BRO. BAG '00.,

. or MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, a conronar'ron or issouri:

This invention BAG-FILLING APPARA US Application filed October 18, 1929.- Serial No. 400,531.

relates to improvements in bag filling machines, and is applicable to that type of ma chine shown in my prior Patent No. 1,653,200, as well as to other types of filling machines. In certain respects this invention may b econsidered an improveinent over the device of said prior patent.

One feature of the invention relates to-a mechanism including a filling spout, a platform and bag support movable independently of the platform, in which the movement of the bag support is arrested while the platform moves which means is pr p ing the support so that after the bag is filled and removed or during bag removal the sup- 7 port may be auto away therefrom, and in ovided for releasably latchmatically released to move downwardly against the'platform or adjacent it,,in,a position to receive another bag to be filled.

Another feature of the invention relates to latch, means for rendering manually operable feed mecha nism control connections,

manually inoperable until. the bag I support andplatform have arrivedat' 1n1t1al filling position.

Another ieatur e includesithe combination in which two latches-are employed both movable with the manually operable feed mechanism control connections, one latch for rena dring connection s manually inoperative untilthe platform and bag support have'arrived at initial filling position, and another latch means for-securing the connections in operative condition until the filling operation is complete. The first adapted to be automatically tripped after the bag support and platform have arrived at initial filling position, and the other adapted to be tripped after the bag is fi lled.

Features of'the invention include all details of construction along with the broader features some of which do not necessarily depend'upon the details of construction for their novelty.

Features, and advantages of the invention will appear in the description of the drawin'gs forming a part of this application, and

in said drawings Figure 1 1s a f ront elevation showing the platform in lowermostv position, and the manually operable feed control connections rendered manually lnoperatlve;

Figure 2 is a front view, partly in section,

showing the platform and bag support at initial filling position with the manually operable connections for controlling' the feed mechanism, unlatched and ly: operable Figure 3 is a front view, with the platform and bag support in initial filling position and with. the bagp'artly filled, showing the platform in section and showing the bagsupport-latch tripping mechanismrendered inoperative p Figure 41s a vertical section on'line 4-t of'Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an elevation, of the right-hand I side of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a detailed elevationon line 6'6 of Figure 8 illustrating the latching mechanism for rendering the feed control mechanism manually inoperative, and showing the relation of" the automatic trip there- I g V v mechanism on line 7'7. of Figure 3; v r

Figure 8 isa plan section on line 8'8 of tion of the bagnframe support latchi w.

. n means;

Figure 11 is a plan "section on line 1111' of Figure ifurther illustrating the bag sup portingframe in relation to the spout; Y

Figure 12 is aplansectionon line 12-12 of Figure 2 showing the element which is movable bythe bag to render the bag support tripping mechanism inoperative during the filling period; 1 V 7 Figure 18 is a verticalsectionsubstantially on line 13 -13 of Figure 2, further illustrat 'Figure 7 is a plan section of thef'latchtherefore manualing the bag-movable trip mechanism controlling element, and also further illustrating the construction of the bag support latch tripping mechanism;

Fi ure 14 is a section through the platform showing means for locking the said bag-movable trip controlmechanism in inoperative position;

Figure is a reverse plan section on line 15-15 of Figure 14, further illustrating the lock-out mechanism; F V

Figure 16 is a detail vertical section illustrating the jacket, and its relation to the spout and ring;

Figure 17 is a of Figure 16;

Figure 18 is an elevation of the expanded jacket; and V Figure 19 is a section illustrating the constricting and flare-providing pleats of the neck, skirt and lining.

Numeral 1 indicates upright frame members suitably connected, and supporting the delivery hopper 2 having connected to its lower end filling spout 3. WVithin the filling spout is the usual auger 4 operated from shaft 5 through gearing 67 and power shaft 8, having a power pulley 9 thereon. Suitable clutch mechanism for controlling shaft 8 through pulley 9 (not shown in detail) is generally indicated at 10, and includes the sleeve 11 adapted to be translated by lever 12 which lever has a slot and pin connection 13 with the sleeve. The lever 12 is pivoted as at 14 to the frame 15, uponwhich the driving and control mechanism is mount ed. The previously described parts may be of any preferred construction but must include some element equivalent of. element 12 for controlling (for example) fiour'delivery plan section on line 17- 17 and/or packing mechanism.

The elements 1 are arranged in lateral pairs as in Figure 5, to form theusual guides for receiving the platform-carrying elements 20 provided with the usual rollers 21. The platform is indicated at 22 (see Figure 4) and is connected to cross bar 23, carried by the elements 20. The upper ends of elements 20 are connected by cross bar 24.

The platform and the frame to which it is attached are suitably counterbalanced to automatically move upwardly. The platform is moved downwardly by the weight of the fed material and feed pressure. The counter-. balancing mechanism includes leather straps 25 (shown only in Figure 1) suitably connected at one end to the cross bar 24-, and wound about a cross shaft 27 which has the pulley 28 having wrapped thereabout the belt 29 which passes upwardly and about an idler pulley 30 and then downwardly as at 31, and has the terminal counterweight 32. The counterweight is sufficient to raise the platform, bag support and acket to the position shown in Figures 2.and 4, the upward motion being limited by suitable stops, not shown. Since this counter-balancing device is of the usual construction it is not more fully illustrated.

A brake mechanism (see Figure 5) is provided for controlling the action ofcounterweight 32, to maintain the platform in its lowermost position and to control its upward motion. This mechanism includes a pulley 33 keyed to shaft 27 and having associated therewith a band brake 34 immovably connected at one end as at 35 and connected at the opposite end as at 36 to lever 37 pivoted as at 38 to one of the uprights 1. The lever has a handle extension39 which is positioned to be grasped by the operator standing at the front of the machine. A counterweight 40 is provided to adjust the tension on the brake band 34. When it is dcsiredto release the platform for upward movement the operator raises the lever 39 against the action of the weight 40 and holds it in raised position until the platform reaches its uppermost position under the action of the counterweight 32.

As before stated, the present inventionis an improvement on that of my prior Patent No. 1,653,200 for bag filling apparatus, and the present invention includes an apparatus operating by the method disclosed in said patent of filling the bag while moving the support away from the filling spout and then arresting'the movement of the support to disengage the filled bag therefrom by continued motion of the bag in the same direction and,

away from the spout support and jacket. To this end, a mounting is herein provided by means of which the jacket support may have a guided movementindependently of that of the platform. 1 r

In the present instance, (see Figures 9 and 12), a pair of guides are provided in the'nature of opposingly faced channel irons which are designated 41, and these irons pass loosely through openings 42 of the platform so that the platform movement is not interfered with. At least one of the elements 42 is hinged as at 43, see Figures 1, 2 and 9, to facilitate introduction of the guide rollers 51 of the bag and acket supporting frame 50, into the grooves formed by the channel irons. The upper ends of the elements 41 (see Figure 9) areconnected by bolts 44 to a bracket-brace 45, in turn secured as at 46 to horizontal strap iron extensions 47. in turn connected asat 48, see

Figures 1 and 11, to the uprights 1. The element is part of the bag and jacket sup port, the structure of which is best shown in Figures4 and 9. Theslidable support compr1ses a base frame generally designated 50 and having rollers 51, four in number, and arranged substantially as the corners of a rectangle and operating in the guide channels 41 as best shown in 'Figure 9. The frame 50 has an upward-extension 52 topped by a horiz ont lly disposed annulus53 towhich is suitably. attached the apron or jacket 54, which provides means for supporting the sides of the" bag during filling and also provides flexible means from which the filled bag may be easily withdrawn in downward direction. The'interiorsurface of the fabric of which this jacket is composed may be treated to reduce friction without destroying its flexible quality. The frame is provided on its bottom with a cushion member 54 to engage the top of the platform. 7

An important feature of this invention includes meansfor latching the frame 50 in the position shown in Figure 9 (which corresponds tot-he position of the elements shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4) while the bag is being filled: The latch means is best shown in Figures 9 and 10, while the means for tripping said latch means is best shown in Figures 2' and 13: Referring first toFigui-e 9': the latch itself includes a. bracket 55 securedtoone of the guide channels 4'1, and to this bracket is pivoted a. bellcrank lever 56 best shown in Figure 2, but also shown in Figures 3 and 10". The belle-rank lever i's'pivoted at 5( to the bracket 55 and has pivoted thereto as at 58 a dete'nt 59 which, when the bellcrank lever is swung to the position shown in Figure 9, projects inwardly through a slot 60 of the channel 41 into-the path of one of the top rollers 51 of the frame 50. This detent 59 moves upwardly in the n i'an'ner of a pawl to' permit the roller 51 to lie abovei t and the end 61 of the detent engages a stop 62 of the bell crank lever to secure the detent 59 in latched position; This detent remains in latched position as shown in Figure 9 until after the bag has been removed and meansi's provided including an element 63, herein referred to as asaddle, for controlling the trip ping of this detent to release the frame 50 after the filled bag has been removed. 'To this end a: bar 65,-see Figure18 (also Figure 2') is pivoted as at 66 to a bracket 67 turn swingingly arrange-cl upon pivot 68 carried by support 69.- Now referring to Figure 2, the bracket 67 swin ing on pivot 68 can swing clockwise direct-ion from the position shown, but its motionan opposite direction islimitedby the set screw 69?. The bar can, therefore, move inthe direction of the arrow B'from the position shown, and such mo'tion'results in raising the element 65. Bar 65 is connected by rod 'TO'to one end of the bel'lcr'a'nk lever as at 71. The rod passes through abrac'lret' 72 and asprino; 73' acting against a stop 74 and the bracket 12 tends to move the rod in the direct-ion of the arrow C torock the belicran-k lever 56 and move the detent to the release position shown in Figure 10. This upward movement is, however, normally prevented because the pivotal points- 66' and 68 are aligned in direction of rod movement and no upward movement can therefore be obtained until the'element is pushed laterally in the direction ofthe arrow B", see Figure g', at which time the 1 pivot 66 swinging in clockwise direction about the pivot 68 will di sailign-these pivots and permit the rod to bepulle'd upwardly by the action of the sprmg'ria. This lateral pushing-action is supposed to have taken place in Fi ure 1; and has resulted in releaseand 'falling of thejack'et-carrying sow its lowermost position. This lateral movemei it of the ele merit 65 to obtain release of the latch mecha- 'nism shown in Figurelt) is obtained through a movement of the saddle 63 and mechanism, now to be described,- controlled thereby, The

saddle (see Figures 1 2-,- 13 and 14) is pivoted as at 7 to the platform, and is provided with a root extension 4 6 by wh ch the operator can hold it in the depressedposition shown in Figure 14, after the bag is removed. Other .mea ns-i's also provided for holding the saddle J of the arrow B as before mentioned. This kicking takes place on release of the saddle from its position in Figures 3, land M. It will be understood, however, that during the first portion of the bag filling operation the 37 element'63 is depressed against the action of spring 88 and the pin81 is then disposed so that on downward travel of the platform it will not engage the element 65 but will pass laterally of and tothe right of said elements as yiewed in FigureQ. Y It has been before noted that the-extension 7 6 .(see Figure 12) enables the operator to prevent release of the bag support latching mechanism after the bag ismov'ed, if he so desires, but as soon as the saddle .is forced up-' wardly' by the spring 83 this latch release takes place. p I

It is sometimes desirable toloc'k' the saddle in the position shown in Figure 14 so that its tripping function destroyed and to this end means is provided'andis illustrated in Figures 13, 14 and 1 5. Onthe bottom of'the platform is secured a plate and secured to an extension of thisplate is a bracket 91 having the opening 92"therein. Through this opening is extended a shaft 93, see Figure 15, and at the end of this shaft is a handlever' 94:, by whichunder certain conditions, the shaft 93 canbe rotated, At the opposite side of the bracket 91 is an arm 95 pinned to the shaft 93, and projecting from one face of this arm are pins'96 which are adapted to register with openings 97 of the'bracket91.

A spring 98 normally urges the shaft 93 in a I direction of arrow E to cause the pins to enter the openings when in register, and when the pins are registered as shown in Figure 15, the arm 95 is engaged against the arm to secure it and the pin 81 in such position as to prevent engagement of the pin 81 with the bar 65. This-looked or latched-out position is shown in both Figures 14 and 15. The unlocked position is shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, in which the handle 94 is shown in a vertical rather than in a horizontal position. It will be understood that in order to rotate the shaft 93 from its position shown in Figure 15, it is necessary to translate the shaft in the direction of the arrow E, Figure 15, to release the pins 96 from the openings 97.

An important feature of this invention re lates to the means for positively preventing operation of the flour feeding mechanism before the platform and bag and jacket support have reached their uppermost position or that position at which the bag filling operation begins. One form of latch means for this purpose is shown herein and is associated with a second latching means which locks the flour feed control mechanism in operative condition until the bag filling operation is completed. The first latching means, as before stated, is unlatched only when the parts are properly positioned to begin the filling operation and the second latch means is unlatched at the end of the filling operation. Moreover, after the unlatching of the second means, the first means automatically latches thus making it impossible for the filling mechanism 'to be operated until the parts again reach filling position.

The plural latch means and their tripping means will be described together because in this embodiment of the invention they are closely related and inter-connected. The operating foot lever is indicated at 100 and is suitably pivoted to the side of one of the frame elements 1, see Figures 1 and 5. A link 101 is pivoted at one end of this lever and at the opposite end is pivoted as at 102 to a bracket carried by a rod 103 which is vertically slidable in a bearing 104. The upper end of the rod or link 103, see Figure 1, is pivoted as at 106 to one end of each of a pair of toggles respectively designated 107108, the opposite end of the toggle 107 is pivoted as at 109 to a bracket 110, and the opposite end of the tog le 10 8 is pivoted as at 111 to one arm Graft clutch control lever 12. A

spring 112 is connected atone end to the rod parts in raised position after being drawn to this position under the action of the spring 112. The foot treadle 100 cannot now be depressed and therefore the filling mechanism cannot be'operated. Means is provided for unlatching the element 117 as scenes the bag support and platform have reached the proper position to begin the filling operation. Referring to Figure 7 which is a plan View, on line 77 of Figure 3, numeral 120 indicates a kick-off slide guided by pins 121 pass ing through slots as shown. shown in kick-off position and is operated by a bellcrank lever 122 pivoted as at 123 to the bracket 119. One armof the lever has a pivotal connection as at 124 with the slide, and the opposite arm is beveled as at 125, see Figure 6, and this beveled portion is engageable. by a trip arm 126 secured to adjustable bracket 127 of a rod 128, which rod is secured to and movable with the platform, and is vertically arranged. Figures 6 and 7 show the parts in tripping or trippedposition as do Figures 2 and 3. Figure 1 shows the latched position. As before stated, this tripping only takes place when the jacket carrier and platform are in their uppermost position and ready for the filling operation.

The means for latching the filling mechanism control means in running position is best illustrated in Figures 2 and 8 which show the unlatched positions. Attention is also called to Figure 3 which shows the latched position. As before stated, this device is for mechanically rather than manually holding the feed mechanism'control connections in position to continue the filling operation, only until it is properly completed.

Rod 103 has at its lower end the latch head providing the latch shoulder 130 engageable with corresponding shoulder 131 of bracket 132 to secure the clutch operating mechanism in clutch-in position. At the end of the filling operation a trip roller 133 (see Figures 3 and 8) carried by rod 128 engages one end 134 of bellcrank lever 135. This bellcrank lever is pivoted at 136 to lower face bracket 132. The other end of the bellcrank lever is connected as at 137 to kick-01f slide 138. hen the roller 133 engages as shown in Figure 8, the kickoff slide is operated to release the latch head as shown in Figure 1 and the spring 112 automatically operates the toggle and disengages the clutch which disengaged position is illustrated in Figure 1. It will be noted that both trips 126 and 133 are controlled by platform motion. In this instance, both trips are adjustably connected to rod 128, which rod is secured to and movable with the platform. It is, however, conceivable that other means may be provided,

the main idea being to have the kick-offs (or I? The slide is either one) controlled by platform motion, one operative when the platform is in the uppermost position to permit manual starting of the filling mechanism, and the other to mechanically secure the control mechanism in on position during the filling period, and to automatically stop the filling mechanism, when the bag is filled. The latch means act as guards to prevent careless and improper operation of the flour delivery and packing mechanism. 7

Both hellcrank levers 122 and 135, see Figures 7 and 8 are provided with suitable retraction means to return the kick-off plates to such position as will permit latching of the heads 117 and 130. The resilient mounting for latchhead 117 returns kick-off plate 120.

The upper latching device 117, or its equiv- .1; over the guide rollers 142, and thence downwardly as shown in Figure 4. The lower end of the flexible connection 140 is provided with a suitable counterweight 143. The weight of the frame is slightly greater than the element so that the tendency of that element 50 is to travel slowly downwardly, overcoming the weight 143. The frame'0 is, of

course, raised by the platform, and when the latch mechanism is released as shown in Figure 10, the frame 50 falls and engages the platform which is then in its lowermost position. It will, of course, be understood that after the bag filling operation and after the bag is removed, the trip 81 may still be rendered inoperative if the operator holds the saddle in a position shown in Figure 14 by use of the extension 76 shown in Figure 12. The mechanism for mechanically locking the saddle in its lowermost position is illustrated in Figures 13, 14 and 15.

It will, of course, be understood that counterweight 32 has sufficient weight to raise both platform and frame 50 and its action is regulated as before stated by the hand brake 34.

Operation Starting with the platform and bag support in its uppermost position, see Figure 2.

-' In this position the latch 117 has been res'ition shown in Figure 3 and the mechanism will, remain thus locked until the filling operation is completed, at which time latch will have been released as shown in Figure 1 by engagement of roller 133 with lever 135, see Figure 8. This-kick-off results in rendering the manually operable feed control connectionsinoperative, so that feed is discontinued. As shown in Figure 1, another bag has "been placed upon the bag support, and in the next operation the platform and support will be raised to filling position. This is accomplished by pushing upwardly on lever 39, see Figure 5, to release brake 34 and allow counterweight 32 to raise the platform. The bag support frame 50 because of its engagement with the platform now rises with the platform to' the position shown in Figure 4, and inthis position the frame 50 is latched bythe awl, 59, asshown in Figure9.

During the rst part of the filling operation, the element 63 is depressed as shown in Figure 3, and the trip 81 is thrown to inoperative position so that during downward movement it will not engage trip bar 65. However, as soon as the filling operation is complete and if, after bag removal, the element 63 is allowed'to' assume-the position shown in Figure 1, the element 65is moved laterally to the left in this figure, and the trip 59 is released as shown in Figure 10,

upon which release the bag support travels downwardly, its downward travel being controlled by the counter-balancing weight 143'. As the platform rises from the position shown in Figure 1, the bar 65 is released and the spring 73 acts to return the trip 59 'to the position shown in Figure 9 and the bar 65 to the position shown in Figure 2, sothat proper latching will take place when the element 50 has again reached the position shown in these figures.

A feature of the invention is the construction of the jacket, see Figures 16 to 19. A portion of the jacket-supporting frame 50 is shown in Figure 16,-and the annulus is indicated at 53. The attachment of the acket to the annulus is made in the following manner: A circumferential groove is provided in theouter surface of the annulus, and the upper periphery of the jacket is attached therein by means of a band 151, see Figure 17, which is inserted in a loop 152, formed in the upper periphery of the jacket by, in this instance, folding the goods inwardly as at 153 and stitching as at 154. An opening 155 is provided as shown in'Figures 17 and 18,-for theinsertion of the band 151. After the upper periphery of the jacket is engaged in the groove 150 the band is tightened by means of screw bolt 156 to clamp the jacket in operative position in the groove.

Features of the invention include the details of construction of the jacket. The lower edge is turned inwardly as at 160 and is stitched as at 161. The part just described is known as the neck. To this neck is attached a skirt, generally indicated at 162, and this skirt is provided with pleats 163 stitched as at 164tthroughout a portion of their length to allow. expansion of the skirt during filling operation. The function of these pleats is to constrict in one region and shown in the drawing but it will be under stood that thevertical edges are thus lapped and stitched. The lower portion of the neck and lining are adapted to tightly engage the spout, and for this purpose the neck is downwardly convergently flared. The'skirt portion of the lining is also provided with pleats indicated at 165. A feature is the making of the lining of some smooth-surfaced material, the surface being treated to reduce friction and at the same time to retain its .i flexible quality. In this instance a kind of oil cloth is used, which has its smooth surface faced inwardly to be engaged by the bag during filling. The upper end of this lining is introduced between the outer portion of the jacket and the inturned portion 153 and .is stitched as at 166. The pleats for both the jacket and the lining provide meansfor reducing the diameter of the neck portion so that it will fit tightly around the steel spout 3 to prevent upward crowding of the flour during the filling operation. The skirt and its lining also act to take creases out of the bag during filling. ()ne function of the pleats is, therefore, to constrict the bag substantially in the region shown, and to permit expansion of the skirt below that constricted region. The broad idea of using a device of this kind with its lining, as well as all the details of construction are features of the invention.

I claim as my invention 1. A bag filling machine including a filling spout, a platform having bag support, and a feed mechanism, manually operable connections for controlling the feed mechanism, a latch for rendering said connection manually inoperative until said platform is at initial filling position, latch tripping means controlled by platform. motion :.,and adapted to automatically trip said latch mechanism after said platform has arrived at initial filling position. A a

2. A bag filling machine including a.- filling spout, a platform, a bag support movable independently of the platform, and a feed mechanism, manually operable connections for controlling the feed mechanism, a latch for rendering said connections manually inoperative until ,said platform and bag sup.-

" port have arrived-at initial filling position,

latchtripping means controlled by platform motion and adapted to automatically trip said'latch mechanism after saidbag support and platform have arrived at initial filling position. 1

A filling machine including a filling spout, aplatform and a bag support movable With the platform, and afeed mechanism, manually operable connections for'control: ling thefeed mechanism, adapted to move automatically to prevent feed operation, a latch mechanism for rendering said connections manually inoperatiyeuntil said platform and support have arrived at initial filling position, latch tripping means for said latch mechanism controlled by platform mo-- tion andadapted to automatically trip said latch mechanism after said bag support and platform have arrived at initial filling position.

A. A bag. filling mechanismv including a fillingspout, aplatform, and a bag support movable independently of said platform, latchingmechanismsv adapted to prevent motion of the bag. support while theplatform moves away therefrom, means movable when the platform moves for trippingthe latching mechanism to release vthebag support and allow it to follow the platform, said. means being adapted to' trip said latch mechanism when the bag is raisedfrom the platform.

5. A bag filling mechanism including a filling spout, a platform, and a bag support movable independently of said platform, latching mechanisms adapted to preventmotion of the bag support while the platform moves away therefrom, meansmovable when the platform. moves for tripping the latching mechanism to release the bag support and allow it toofollow the platfornnsaid means being arrangeclto be engaged by the bag, and being adapted ,to trip said latch-mechanism upon removal of the bag.

i 6. A bag filling mechanism including a filling spout, a platform, and a bag support movable independently of said platform, latching mechanisms adapted to prevent motion of the bag support while the platform moves away therefrom, means movable when the platform moves for tripping the latching mechanism to release the bag support and allow it to follow the platform, said means including anelement movable by the bag to render said trip mechanism inoperative during thefilling period, said element adapted to move ina manner to render said tripping giechanism operative upon .removal, of the ,7 Abagfillingmachine including. a filling spout, a. platform, a bag supportanovable independently ,ofthe. platform, a feed mechanism, manuallyoperable connections for cons trolling the feed mechanism adapted to move to automatically render the feed mechanism inoperative, a latch mechanism for rendering.

said connections manually inoperative until said platform and bag support have arrived at initial filling position, a second latch means movable with the first for securing said connections in operative condition until the filling operation is complete, latch-tripping means for respective latch mechanisms controlled by platform motion, one adapted to automatically trip the first mentioned latch mechanism after said bag support and platform have arrived at initial filling position, and the other adapted to trip the last mentioned latch mechanism after the bag is filled.

8. In combination a spout, an annulus traversable by the spout, a tubular element attached to the annulus including a portion adapted to frictionally engage the spout, and having a skirt portion adapted for circumferential expansion.

9. In combination a spout, an annulus traversable by the spout, tubular element attached to the annulus including a portion adapted to frictionally engage the spout, and having a skirt portion adapted for circumferential expansion, and a lining for the tubular element adapted to sealingly frictionally cooperate with the spout.

10. In combination a spout, an annulus traversable by the spout, a tubular element attached to the annulus including a portion adapted to frictionally engage the spout, and

having a skirt portion adapted for'circumferential expansion, and a lining for the tubular element having a smooth inner surface. 11. In combination a spout, an annulus traversable by the spout, a jacket attached to the annulus including a neck portion adapted to frictionally engage the spout, said jacket having a skirt portion attached to the neck and adapted for circumferential ex:- pansion, and a lining for said neck and skirt portions adapted to sealingly, frictionally cooperate With the spout. I

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of October, 1929.

DANIEL BELCHER. 

